Diving board



April 29, 1952 R. G. LARSON, JR

DIVING BOARD Filed Dec. 12, 1949 IVVL-VVTOR R. a. 44/290114 .2.

Patented Apr. 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE DIVING BOARD Raymond G. Larson, Jr., Houston, Tex.

Application December 12, 1949, Serial No. 132,459

4 Claims.

The present invention is directed to an improved diving board. More particularly the invention is directed to a one piece diving board.

Prior to the present invention it has been customary to construct diving boards of laminated wood which has been glued together to give the necessary mechanical strength. These diving boards are exposed to sunlight and to the effects of moisture and usually deteriorate rapidly under the conditions of use. Ordinarily a diving board constructed of wood will last only a short period of time.

Furthermore, the diving boards of the prior art when used at night present a safety hazard in that, unless the pool in which the board is located is properly illuminated, it may cause the diver to be seriously injured. when he springs from the board if he should misjudge the distance from the 7 end of the board during his dive.

It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide an improved diving board which is resistant to moisture and sunlight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a diving board which is illuminated and therefore allows the diver to avoid hitting the board when using it at night.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved diving board constructed of light transmitting material.

The diving board of the present invention embodies a longitudinal member constructed of methyl methacrylate resin which has the property of transmitting light. The diving board comprises a longitudinal member of this resin in which is embedded at least one flexible metal reinforcing bar. Usually the longitudinal member will have embedded therein at least three flexible metal reinforcing bars. The longitudinal member is anchored adjacent one end to a rigid supporting member and in juxtaposition to the anchored end there is arranged at least one light emitting means such as an electric lamp, a neon light, and the like. By virtue of the properties of the methyl methacrylate resin the light from the lamp or illuminating means is transmitted through the longitudinal member to the free end of the diving board, thus providing illumination at the end thereof.

The present invention will be more completely illustrated by reference to the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side view of the longitudinal mem ber;

Fig. 2 is a top view of a diving board of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a detail in cross section showing the anchoring means;

ill

Fig. 4 is a view taken along the lines I-I of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 .is a detail of a supporting member at a fulcrum point intermediate first and second ends of the longitudinal member of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing in which identical numerals will be employed to designate identical parts, numeral ll designates a longitudinal member constructed of methyl methacrylate resin in which is embedded a plurality of flexible metal reinforcing bars l2. Longitudinal member ll defines with a top outer surface a recessed space l3 in which may be arranged a skid resistant material such as coco matting and the like I4 which laps over an end of longitudinal member l2 and is anchored at an underside thereof at anchor point or plate I5. The longitudinal member II is provided with lamps it which are arranged at a second end of longitudinal member H and are designed to allow light to be transmitted through longitudinal member II and to provide illumination therefor. Intermediate first and second ends of longitudinal member H at a fulcrum point is a metal plate ll which is adapted to rest on a supporting member, as will be described. This plate may be clamped or otherwise affixed rigidly to member i l. Arranged on longitudinal member H is anchor plate [8 through which project bolts i9 attaching the longitudinal member I i to a rigid supporting member 20. The skid resistant matting is anchored to anchor plate I8 by a plate 2| which may be provided with a diamond shape non-slip tread for safety purposes.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the anchor bolts [9 project through the plate I8 which laps under and over the longitudinal member H and that the bolts H are rigidly affixed to supporting member 20 by nuts 22. Referring again to Fig. 3, the plate 2| is recessed in the plate l8 and is attached thereto by attachments 23 causing the coco matting M to be anchored thereon.

Referring to Fig. 5 longitudinal member H rests at plate I! on a similar support 24 to that of support 20. In this instance, however, the member H merely rests on support 24 at the fulcrum point and there is no attachment between the member and the support 24. If desired, supporting member 26 and plate I! may be omitted merely by shortening the length of longitudinal member I l.

The diving board of the present invention is particularly adapted to be used at night in swimming pools. When used at night the lamp l6 connected to a source of electrical energy not 6 shown would be turned on causing light to be transmitted through the diving board thus illuminating the whole board and allowing the diver when he dives from the end of the board to adjust his dive to avoid hitting the end thereof.

It is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have the flexible metal reinforcing bars I2 to define with their outer surface light reflecting means. For example, the metal reinforcing bars l2 may, prior to embedding in the member I I, be chromium plated. As an alternative and perhaps more desirable method of forming a light reflecting surface, the metal reinforcing bars may be constructed of stainless steel or may be constructed of or coated with other light reflecting metals.

It is also within the spirit and purview of my invention to color the longitudinal member I l or to employ lamps of variegated color to cause the improved diving board to assume a many hued color.

It will be understood by the. skilled workman that the relative sizes and shapes of the various elements of my invention may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what I wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A diving board comprising, in combination,

a flexible elongated member of methyl methacrylate resin in which is embedded at least one flexible metal reinforcing bar defining with a top outer surface thereof a recessed space extending substantially the length of said member, skid resistant means arranged in said recessed space affixed to said elongated member, anchoring mean adjacent a first end of said member attaching said member to a rigid support, and light emittingmeans arranged in juxtaposition with said first end and adapted to transmit light through said elongated member to a second end thereof.

2. A diving board in accordance with claim 1 in which the skid resistant means is coco matting and said matting is aiflxed to said elongated member at an under outer surface adjacent the second end thereof.

3. A diving board in accordance with claim 1 in which the flexible metal reinforcing bar defines with its outer surfaces light reflecting means.

4. A diving board comprising, in combination. a flexible elongated member of methyl methacrylate resin in which is embedded at least one flexible metal reinforcing bar defining with a top outer surface a recessed space extending substantially the length of said member, said reinforcing bar defining with its outer surfaces light reflecting means, coco matting arranged in said recessed space and anchored to an under outer surface of a free first end of said member, anchoring means adjacent a second end of said member attaching said member to a rigid support, light emitting means arranged in juxtaposition with said second end and adapted to transmit light. through said member to said first end, and a metal-plate, aflixed to the under outer surface of said member at a fulcrum point intermediate said first and second ends, adapted to rest on a supporting member.

RAYMOND G. LARSON, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,950,548 Fuller, Jr Mar. 13, 1934 2,070,494 Stevenson Feb. 9, 1937 2,195,423 Powell Apr. 2,1940 2,473,981 Wood June 21, 1949 2,500,899 Leahan Mar. 14, 1950 

